Hand held devices for clearing off or cleaning the surface of a windshield, window or the like

ABSTRACT

A hand held device for clearing off or cleaning the surface of a windshield, window or the like. The hand held device includes a blade, a forearm brace, and a handle which is disposed between the blade and the forearm brace. The blade preferably includes a front edge, and preferably the handle is parallel to the front edge. The forearm brace includes a forearm-engaging portion which is configured to contactably engage a forearm of a user during use. The forearm brace may comprise walls which extend generally from the handle to the forearm-engaging portion, as well as an opening which is disposed generally between the handle and the forearm-engaging portion. Preferably, the palm of a user&#39;s hand is the fulcrum point during use of the hand held device. The device may also be reversible to gain maximum mechanical advantage of for example, a two-bladed scraper or squeegee.

RELATED APPLICATION (PRIORITY CLAIM)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application Ser.No. 61/183,925, filed Jun. 3, 2009, which is hereby incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to hand held devices forclearing off or cleaning the surface of a windshield, window or thelike, such as ice scrapers and squeegees, and more specifically relatesto a hand held device which is ergonomic, designed to provide forimproved leverage during use, and easy to use.

Generally speaking, ice scrapers are conventional and typically includea handle at one end and a scraper blade at the other. In use, a userholds the handle of the ice scraper and drives the scraper blade acrossa surface from which the user wants to remove ice, such as from thewindshield of a vehicle. Conventional ice scrapers are generallyrelatively difficult to use due to the fact that their design providesfor a lack of leverage as well as an awkward positioning of the user'shand during operation. As a result, a user is forced to expend mucheffort and downward force, and is required to work a long time, in orderto scrape ice away. Similar is the action to use a conventional squeegeeto remove grime and/or bugs from a windshield, window or the like.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY

An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a handheld device which is ergonomic.

Another object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide ahand held device which provides for increased leverage during use.

Yet another object of an embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a hand held device which is easy to use.

Briefly, a specific embodiment of the present invention provides a handheld device which comprises a blade, a forearm brace, and a handledisposed between the blade and the forearm brace. The hand held devicemay include additional features such as one or more brushes, or one ormore foam or sponge wipers, and may take the form of varying shapes,sizes and constructions depending on the application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The organization and manner of the structure and operation of theinvention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, maybest be understood by reference to the following description, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ice scraper which is in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the ice scraper shown in FIG. 1,but shows an arm and hand of a user engaged with the ice scraper;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the ice scraper shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGS. 4-6 are perspective views of ice scraper alternative embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a squeegee which is in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a squeegee or scraper which is inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view of an end surface of the device shown in FIG. 8; and

FIGS. 10-12 provide three cross-sections; variants of the handle.

DESCRIPTION

The invention disclosed herein is susceptible to embodiment in manydifferent forms. However, specific embodiments are shown in the drawingsand described in detail hereinbelow. The present disclosure is to beconsidered an example of the principles of the invention, and is notintended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments which areillustrated and described herein.

Embodiments of the present invention preferably provide a hand helddevice for clearing off or cleaning the surface of a windshield, windowor the like, where the hand held device is ergonomic, designed toprovide for improved leverage during use, and easy to use. The inventionmay take many forms, some of which are shown in the Figures. Forexample, while FIGS. 1-6 illustrate ice scrapers, FIG. 7 illustrates asqueegee. Still other forms are possible.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an ice scraper 10 which is in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. As shown, the ice scraper 10includes a scraper blade 12 at one end 14, and a forearm brace 16 at theopposite end 18. Disposed between the scraper blade 12 and the forearmbrace 16 is a handle 20. Preferably the handle 20 is generally parallelwith a front edge 22 of the scraper blade 12 which engages and scrapesaway ice. This design provides for increased leverage and provides thatbasically the entire palm of the user 24 can be used to apply effectiveforce to the ice scraper 10 in order to facilitate the scraping away ofice.

The forearm brace 16 includes a forearm-engaging portion 26 and may ormay not include an opening 28 as well as walls 30 which extend generallyfrom the handle 20 to the forearm-engaging portion 26. As shown in FIG.2, the forearm-engaging portion 26 of the ice scraper 10 is configuredto contactably engage the forearm 32 of a user 24 during use, therebyproviding enhanced leverage while the ice scraper 10 is being used toscrape ice. More specifically, during use, the forearm 32 of a user 24fits underneath the forearm-engaging portion 26 while the hand 34 of theuser 24 grips the handle 20. The handle 20 may be round as shown inFIGS. 1 and 4, however anti-rotation variants are depicted in FIGS.11-13. FIG. 11 illustrates a finger grip oval hold 69; FIG. 12illustrates a secondary bar 70 for opposing thumb and FIG. 13illustrates an opposing thumb tab 71. Regardless, preferably the icescraper 10 is designed such that the palm of the user's hand 34 is thefulcrum point, generating a large mechanical advantage at the point ofthe scraping action. Due to the leverage this design creates, the icescraper 10 is easy to use and can be used to quickly and efficientlyscrape away ice.

Preferably, the entire ice scraper is formed of plastic and isinjection-molded. The ice scraper may be made of, for example, nylon,polycarbonate and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) blend, and/or abio-friendly (i.e., green) plastic. The forearm brace 16 and handle 20may be injection molded from a lower flex higher impact plastic, formingthe foundation of the design. Softer plastic, rubber or a thermoplasticelastomer can be assembled or over-molded onto the handle 20 and/orforearm brace 16 to provide for enhanced feel and ergonomic appeal.Similarly, the scraper blade 12 can be manufactured from a hard plastic(i.e., polycarbonate, nylon or a similar hard ductile plastic blend) ormetal, per size and ice-scraping ability. The entire ice scraper 10(i.e., the scarper blade 12, handle 20 and forearm brace 16) may beformed as a single piece, preferably an injection-molded plastic.Alternatively, the ice scraper 10 may comprise an assembly of aplurality of pieces, such as a plurality of plastic pieces having anover-molded construction. Still further, the forearm-engaging portion 16of the ice scraper 10 may comprise a rubber strap which is molded into,or otherwise secured to, walls 30 of the forearm brace 16.

FIG. 3 indicates various possible dimensions for the maximum number ofhuman interfaces of the ice scraper 10. Specifically, dimension a may be3 inches, dimension b may be 14 inches, dimension c may be 1.5 inches,dimension d may be 20 inches, dimension e may be 8 inches, and dimensionf may be 21 inches. Of course, the ice scraper may be dimensioned and/orshaped much differently, yet still remain fully within the scope of thepresent invention. For example, the ice scraper can be provided as beingmuch shorter as shown in FIG. 4 using reference numeral 10 a, such thatit easily fits into a glove compartment, in which case (referencing FIG.3) the dimensions of ice scraper 10 a can be provided as follows:dimension a may be provided as being 3 inches, dimension b may be 9inches, dimension c may be 1.5 inches, dimension d may be 7 inches, anddimension e may be 8 inches, and dimension f may be 17 inches.Preferably, even if the ice scraper is provided as being short such thatit fits within a glove compartment, preferably the scraper blade 12 a isstill provided as being wide such that much ice is engaged with the icescraper during use.

Regardless of the specific construction and size selected, the icescraper provides for a significant increase in leverage and scrapingpower, as well as enhanced mechanical advantage, during use. As such,the ice scraper is easy to use and can be used to quickly and easilyscrape away ice.

Alternative embodiments are entirely possible while still remainingfully within the scope of the present invention. For example, as shownin FIG. 5, one or more brushes 50 can be provided on the ice scraper forbrushing away ice and/or snow. Each brush 50 can be provided as being aseparate, pre-constructed shape which is press-fit into the forearmbrace 16. Alternatively, each brush 50 can be secured via over-moldingor be molded directly into the ice scraper. FIG. 6 illustrates an icescraper 10 b much like those which have already been described, but witha shortened scraper blade 12 b, an elongated forearm brace 16 b and dualbrushes 50 b.

FIG. 7 illustrates a squeegee 10 c which is in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention. As shown, the squeegee 10 c is muchlike the ice scrapers previously described and includes a blade 12 c, aforearm brace 16 c, and a handle 20 c between the blade 12 c and theforearm brace 16 c. The forearm brace 16 c includes a forearm-engagingportion 26 c and may or may not include an opening 28 c as well as walls30 c which extend generally from the handle 20 c to the forearm-engagingportion 26 c. As shown in FIG. 7, the forearm-engaging portion 26 c ofthe squeegee 10 c is configured to contactably engage the forearm 32 ofa user 24 during use, thereby providing enhanced leverage while thesqueegee 10 c is being used to clean a windshield, window or the like.More specifically, during use, the forearm 32 of a user 24 fitsunderneath the forearm-engaging portion 26 c while the hand 34 of theuser 24 grips the handle 20 c. Preferably, the squeegee 10 c is designedsuch that the palm of the user's hand 34 is the fulcrum point,generating a large mechanical advantage at the point of the squeegeeaction. Due to the leverage this design creates, the squeegee 10 c iseasy to use and can be used to quickly and efficiently clean awindshield, window or the like. Preferably, an elastomeric member 60 cis provided at a front edge 22 c of the blade 12 c to provided forsqueegee action during use. As shown in FIG. 7, the squeegee 10 c mayalso be provided with an elongated mid-section 62 c having wipers 64 cthereon, such as foam or sponge wipers.

FIG. 8 illustrates a hand held device 10 d similar to those previouslydescribed, but where the forearm brace 16 d and handle 20 d of thedevice 10 d are symmetric, thereby providing that the hand held device10 d is effectively reversible meaning that the device 10 d is designedsuch that a user can gain full mechanical advantage from either side (17d or 19 d) of the device 10 d. The device may take the form of, forexample, an ice scraper or squeegee. FIG. 8 depicts a specificembodiment where the device 10 d is provided as being a squeegee. Asshown, preferably the device 10 d includes a wiper blade 12 d at itsleading end 22 d on one side 17 d of the device 10 d, and a sponge orfoam member 15 d proximate the wiper blade 12 d on the opposite side 19d of the device 10 d. FIG. 9 illustrates the rear surface 21 d of thedevice. 10 d. As shown, preferably the device has blended, opposingradii 23 d that accommodate the forearm brace 16 d. The rear surface 21d of the device 10 d is shown as being symmetric, however, it may takeother asymmetric shapes based on environment conditions andhuman-mechanical interface requirements.

While specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devisevarious modifications of the present invention without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A hand held device for clearing off or cleaning a surface such as awindshield, window or the like, said hand held device comprising: ablade configured to engage the surface; a forearm brace; and a handledisposed between the blade and the forearm brace.
 2. A hand held deviceas recited in claim 1, wherein the blade comprises a front edge, and thehandle is parallel to the front edge of the blade.
 3. A hand held deviceas recited in claim 1, wherein the forearm brace comprises aforearm-engaging portion which is configured to contactably engage aforearm of a user during use.
 4. A hand held device as recited in claim3, wherein the forearm brace comprises walls which extend generally fromthe handle to the forearm-engaging portion.
 5. A hand held device asrecited in claim 4, wherein the forearm brace comprises an opening whichis disposed generally between the handle and the forearm-engagingportion.
 6. A hand held device as recited in claim 3, wherein the handleand the forearm-engaging portion are configured to provide that a palmof a user's hand is the fulcrum point during use of the hand helddevice.
 7. A hand held device as recited in claim 1, wherein the handheld device is formed of plastic.
 8. A hand held device as recited inclaim 1, wherein the hand held device is injection-molded.
 9. A handheld device as recited in claim 1, wherein the hand held device isformed of at least one of nylon, an Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene(ABS) blend and metal.
 10. A hand held device as recited in claim 1,wherein the hand held device further comprises at least one brush.
 11. Ahand held device as recited in claim 1, wherein the hand held devicefurther comprises at least one brush on the forearm brace.
 12. A handheld device as recited in claim 1, wherein the hand held devicecomprises an ice scraper.
 13. A hand held device as recited in claim 1,wherein the hand held device comprises a squeegee.
 14. A hand helddevice as recited in claim 13, wherein the blade comprises a front edge,further comprising an elastomeric member provided at the front edge ofthe blade.
 15. A hand held device as recited in claim 13, furthercomprising at least one wiper on the squeegee.
 16. A hand held device asrecited in claim 15, wherein the at least one wiper is comprised of atleast one of foam and sponge.
 17. A hand held device as recited in claim1, wherein the hand held device is reversible.
 18. A hand held device asrecited in claim 1, wherein the forearm brace is symmetric.